Southern Methodist University Top Questions

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Make sure to get involved on campus. If you can stay on campus for the first year, try to, because you end up making a lot of friends that will be there your entire four years. Have fun, and try to get an internship in a field you might be interested in. You get to see what it is like to work in that area, it offers nice networking opportunities, and there is a good chance that you will have a job there after graduation (if graduation is close enough).

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Make sure that you realize that it is not only the academics you should look at when your child applies for college, but the possible stereotypes that the school might represent.

Visit the campus and ask questions. Get an idea of what the student body is like, and make sure your credit is good!

Most importantly, visit the university or college that you would like to attend. Seeing the environment will definitely help make decisions about where to attend. Also, talk with anyone you may know who attends or attended the university you are considering. Maybe a family member or friend... this will help with getting some background information on the academic and social life at that specific campus. Make sure that the university or college you are considering has the specific program or field of study that you would like to pursue. When I came to SMU as a freshman I was not quite sure as to which major or minor I wanted to persue, but I quickly found out what was offered and what wasn't, and this limited some of my choices..such as becoming a teacher straight out of undergraduate college. SMU doesn't have a program that is specifically designed for those persuing education. Also, if you are in need of financial aid or scholarship, do some research and find out which schools could help you and your family the most.; the only reason I am able to attend SMU is because of the financial aid they provide.

I would say to make sure you pick a school with your field of interest and that has a good reputation, but most importantly pick the school that feels like home to you. When you visit campus, pay attention to how the students interact with ech other and how they treat you. You want to make sure you know what you're getting into and feel comfortable and excited about moving there. This will be your home for the next four years and while you are there to get a good education, the people you meet and the times you share with them are what really makes this time in your life special, so you want an atmosphere that fits you. I still walk around campus thinking "Wow, I go here" all the time because it is physically beautiful (which makes more of a difference than one might think) and because I know that SMU is where I am supposed to be and I love evry minute of it, even when I am stressed about my tough classes. Basically, pick the school that best fits you, not what your parents or friends think fits you.

If at all possible, visit the campuses. A visit will make it very obvious, especially if you make sure to do it at a time when classes are going on, not during summer or a holiday. And be social. If you hide in your dorm and study every day, you won't make friends and you'll miss out on huge number sof experiences.

Visit the college campus, talk to the advisors, students, and any alumni that you can. Read blogs about the school and the programs because those are usually a little more factual than any information you may get on a campus tour. Don't be afraid to ask questions because college is a huge investment not just financially but also in time and commitment so you want to make sure your making the right choice.

Don't accept speaking with your high school advisors & college staff/teachers as good enough to mold your choice of school; those are both typically excellent routes to go with but much more pertaining to how well you'll do at a certain school is your mental and social health; if the place makes you lose your mind or leaves you wanting to drop out, it won't matter how well known the school is or if the football team is hot or not. The best route to find out if a school is right for you or not is to find a student at the school who is somewhat like you, someone who may share your interests, culture, religion, lifestyle, etc; and ask them how they like it, and if they would've chosen to go here again if they had another choice of which college they attended.